Page 18 of Faking Forever 1
“Aw, I’m sorry. I’m sure if you ask her, though, she might sing you an apology for me?” I smirk, going lower with my blows.
Squinting ever so carefully, he takes his hand out of his pocket, shoving an aggressive middle finger in my face. I burst into laughter while my mom gasped at the sight. Before she can say anything, he speeds out of the glass door, bumping past a confused Joshua, who had opened the door to enter.
“Hey, ten o’clock, Tate!” she yells, assuming he heard.
Josh looks at us, chuckling with hesitation, “Okay, hey to you too..” he says, shutting the door behind himself.
His hair was out today, and he was without a hat. That meant it was beyond hot outside, but it was also a plus because I loved his hair. Idon’tremember him having a five o’clock shadow, though.
“Now, was that called for?” my mom asks, tensely directing 44
BRING ME FLOWERS
her attention to me.
I smile, grabbing a box of cereal placed on the counter in front of me. I grab a bowl from a stack of them as well. It was a boxof Lucky Charms, which had always been my favorite. As I gazed around the kitchen, I noticed grocery bags—suddenly getting snatched up by my mother. If it wasn’t apparent, she had done some intense food shopping this morning. She collects the last few bags and then shoves them into a cabinet.
“Alright, Paisley, I have to run some more errands before this evening. Both of you, please be careful. Don’t drive fast, anddon’tget in trouble. Your father has had enough of your brother already this year.”
I glance at Josh, who has a clever smile.
“Susanne,Susanne…“ he swoons, using a smoother tone of voice. I promise we will behave in thebestway. We won’t do anything you wouldn’t do.” He smiles more, winking.
She looks at me, then at him, pausing before she laughs as she grabs her purse, shaking her head.
“Bye, you two.” she continues shaking her head as she finally grabs her car keys and walks out of the glass door.
I continue eating my cereal, finally taking in the silence.
Josh then towers over me, grasping the counter’s edge to lean on it.
“So, doll-face.” he watches me, “You’re going to Beau’s party, right?”
“I considered,” I grumble with a mouth full of marshmallows and oats.
I finish my mouthful, shrugging.
“What would I do if I just so happened to run into Nick or Darcy, or worse—both.”
He lets out a heavy, quick breath, lifting a hand to brush 45
FAKING FOREVER
over his mouth, stroking his stubbly face. Between his fingers, I could see his lips struggling not to curl up into laughter.
“It’s not funny.” I drop my shoulders, watching him with a straight face.
“I’m sorry—that’swhat you’re worried about?” he questioned me, raising his eyebrows.
Yeah.. so?
“So what?” I mumble, setting my spoon down in what was now just a bowl of milk.
“So, who the hell cares? He’s a chum. Be real right now, Pea.”
His voice was suddenly not as kind.
“Icare.” I sit up, puffing out my chest as I pick up my bowl.
